Machine for setting tenpins



April 26 1927.

A If? PRESSURE C ONNE C T/ON J. W. BISHOP MACHINE FOR SETTING TENPINS Filed March 18. 1925 7 shuts-Sheet 1 Java/1.201";

Apiil 2s v. 1927.

.11. w. BISHOP MACHINE FOR SETTING TENPINS Filed March 18, 1925 'r Sheets-Sheet 2 April 26 g 1927.

-WN WM J. W. BISHOP MACHINE FOR SETTING TENPINS Flled March 18. 1925 Ww I) April 26,. 1927.

JFW. BISHOP MACHINE FOR SETTING TENPINS Filed" March 18. 1925 has '7 sheets-sheet 4 62A4 na 26,.1927. W BISHOP MACHINE FOR SETiPING TENPINS Filed March 18. 1925 v Sheets-sheaf. 6

April 26 1927. 1,626,446

J. w. BISHOP MACHINE FOR SETTING T ENPINS Filed March 18. 1925 '1 Sheets-Sheet '7 Fatent 5, i227.

JOSEPH w. manor, or musxneonr. mrcmean, Assmnon no I ran nnunswrcn- OH INE FOR 3E'I'TINGTENPINS.

Application filed March 18, 1925. Serial No. 16,332.

This invention relates to in setters for bowling alleys, and its object is to reduce the I work and'lessen the labor of the pmboy l relation to the alley bed; to supportthe pins in an inclined position in the pockets of the machine while the latter is moving to the lowest position of the main frame, and then uprighting the pins so that they will fall 2 gently and with comparatively little nolse into position upon the spots on the alley bed; to insure a smooth, evenand semi-automatic operation of the machine; and to provide for accurate spotting of the pins. 95 The invention-has other objects in view which will appear hereinafter in the detail description of the embodiment of the inventionwhich has been selected for illustration in the accompanying drawings, referring to so which 7 Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation through the alley bed and kick-backs and showing the machine in elevated position.

Fig.2 a horizontal sectional view on 35 the line 22 in top plan.

: Fig. '3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of. Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view on the to line H of Fig. 3.

Fig. '5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5-'5 of Fig. 2.

' Fig. 6 is a sectional view onthe line 66 of Fig. 5 and also the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

45 Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2 showing the pin supported in the machine in elevatedposition. I

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the pin in set position-on the alley bed.

50 Fig. 9 is a detail sectional View on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8. V

Figs. 10 and 11 show successive positions I of the pin in a pocket of the machine beof Fig. 3 showing the machine tween the and 8..

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line 12-12 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on the line 13-13 of Fig. 11.

Fig.- 14 is a sectional view on the line positions illustrated in Figs. 7

14. .1.4. of Fig. 13.

I Fig. 15 is a detail perspective View of one of the wedge blocks.

Fig-16 is a sectional elevation.

Fig. 17 is a plan view showing. a .pocket comprising three shoes arranged in one position.

18 is a sectional elevation, and

Fig. 19 is a planview showing a pocket comprising three shoes in another position.

Referring to the drawings, the invention comprises a main receiving frame having an upper deck 20 and a lower deck 21'spaced apart but rigidly secured together by rods 22 (Flg. 3). A setting frame-23 is arand is movable conjointly with and relatively to the main frame, being guided in its relative movement on the rods 22. The machine is provided with ten ockets 24 to receive the tenpins, and each 0 these pockets is a. du-

nanm-conmnnna comm; on onrcaeo, rumors, a oonrona'rron on nnna- "is ranged between the decks of the main frame plicate of the others and is formed partly in the upper deck of the main frame and partly in the intermediate 'frame. These frames are preferably made of metal, or part wood and part metal, in skeleton form, and

the upper deck of the main frame has, for each pocket, a dished portion ,25 (Figs. 2 and 3) to receive the body of the pin and the deck section 26 back of said dished portion, over which or on which the pin may be thrown or slid into inclined position in the pocket 24 and resting in the dished 'portion 25. The intermediate setting frame comprises-a plurality of rings 27, each of which has an upstanding stop 28 at the front of the pocket and provided with a rib 28',

Figs. 7, 8, and this stop projects up through the upper deck of the main frame to a position substantially ator about level with the deck section 26. Two or more positionin shoes 29 are pivotally hung from 'benea-t each of the rings, 27, and if two of these shoes are used, they will be disposed diametrically opposite each other, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Each shoe is conveniently pivoted b apin (Fig. 4 which passes through anges 31 on the shoe and lugs 32 on the ring 27. This pin can be easily removed to repair or replace a shoe at any time. To insure correct spotting of the pins, I prefer to provide a three-point contact of the shoes with the pin, and this IS accom plished with two shoes by making one, as 29' (Fig. 9) somewhat wider than the other shoe and recessing it at 33 between its side edges so that. it will furnish a two-point contact at 33', 33' with the pin.

The frames above described are supported from a crossbar 34 on uprights .35 which are mounted on the kick-hacks 36 at the sides of the alley bed 37, at the pit end of the alley (Fig. I). Piston rods 38 carrying pistons 39 operating in thecylinders 40 are connected at 38' with the intermediate frame (Fig. 5) and through the movement of these pistons and pistonrods the mam frame, as wellas the intermediate frame, which are engaged to move conjointly, as previously described, are raised and lowered. Guide rods 41 are engaged with the upper deck of the main frame at 42 and they are provided with racks 43 to engage pinions 44 on a transverse shaft45. This shaft is supported at46 in brackets 47 which are mounted on the cross-bar 34 and also 1 support the tubes 48 in which the guides 41 operate. The purpose of these racks and 'pinions is to insure an even movement of the machine in its lowering and raising travel, and toprevent tilting and binding and to relieve the pistons of strain.

I contemplate operating the machine to the valve and a connection 52 leads from the valve to the 'top of each cylinder 40 and a connection 53 leads to the bottom of each cylinder 40, so that when the valve lever is in up position as shown in Figs. 3.and 5, the connection to the bottom of the cylinders will be open to admit pressure beneath the pistons to raise and hold the frames in .ele-

A vated position, and when the valve lever is thrown down to its lowest position (not shown) the connections to the top of the cylinders will be opened to admit pressure above the pistons to lower the frames to set the pins on the-alley b'ed.

To make this lowering and raising movement of the frames automatic, I, provide a three-arm lever which is pivoted at 54 to the valve e a sin One arm 55 of the lever has an enlarge opening or a slot to receive a trip rod 56 which is secured at its lower end to the intermediate frame'at 57 and carries a button 58 at its upper end. Another arm 59 is arranged to engage a shoulder 60 (Fig. 5) on the valve lever, and the other arm 61" (Fig.3) is'spring-pressed to hold the arm 59 in operative relation to the valve lever and shoulder. When the valve lever has been swung to its lowest position a plunger 62 (Fig. 5) operating in a evlinder 63 will compress the spring 64 and when the arm 55 and swings the three arm lever on itsfivot 54, the arm 59 will hedis'en the button 58 engages a spring 65 above I provided a contracted chamber 66 atthe bot- 6 tom of each cylinder 40 to receive a con tracted portion 67 of the piston, forming a dashpot or air cushion. i

It will be observed from the foregoing descriptionthat the pinbov is only required to fill the up r deck of the main receiving frame with pins when the frames are in elevated position, and then operate the lever when it is desired to set the pins on, the alley bed. A single operation of the lever starts the frames in their lowering movement and this movement continues until the pins have been set on the spots of the alley bed, whereupon the frames automatically reverse their movement and rise to elevated position. Thus the machine is semi-automatic in operation, requiring only the throw of the valve lever to lowering positionto accomplish a complete cycle of movement of the frames. a full set of pins, which will be the usual When the frames are loaded with conditiomthere will be a tendency of the machine to swing downward at the front. I

provide a foot 69 at the front of the lower 3 deck of the 'main frame (Fig. 3) to support the front end of the frames on the alley bed.

The guide rods 41 are provided at their upper ends with steps 70 (Fig.5) to engage shoulders 71, on the brackets 47 to limit the downward movement of the main frame, and

the foot 69 is intended to steady the-front end of v themachine in ositionwhen the main frame has reache the limit ofits lowering movement. After the main frame has come to rest the intermediate frame which is engaged with the piston rods 38 continues its downward movement, while the portions 67 of the pistons are entering the air cushion chambers 66 and thus the inter mediate frame travels from elevated position to lowered position of the main frame conjointly therewith and then continue to travel independently of the main frame from the position of Fig. 7 to the position of Fig. 8. During the travel of the main frame to lowered position, the pin remains in'the inclined position shown in Fig. 7, but when the main frame comes to rest in lowered position and the intermediate frame continues lowering, the pin is swung to upright position as initial uprighting movement the pin fulcrums on the lower edge of the dished por tion 25, Fig. 10. The flanges 31 at the back of the shoes 29 are beveled at 31' and these beveled edges engage the edge 72 of the cross plates 73 of the lower deck 21, when the intermediate frame 23 continues to lower after the main frame has come to rest, and this moves the'lower ends of the shoes inward, as indicated in Fig. 10, until they are brought to setting position (Figs. 11, 8;) to receive the pin 74, which at that time is being moved to upright position. properly positioned to position the pin on the alley spot when the pin is uprighted, and the setter can be constructed and made to operate with such accuracy that the pins will be properly spotted atevery complete cycle of operation. The lowering movement of the frames is limited so that the shoes will clear thefalley bed when in lowermost position. The shoes are'swung to closed position by contact with parts of the main frame and not by contact with the alley bed, thereby avoid-' ing damage to the alley bed, which may result from repeated engagement of the shoes therewith.

To prevent the pins from falling through the ockets before they are properly uprighted or setting, I provide wedge blocks 75 which are secured onthe upper deck 20 of the main frame on opposite sides of each pocket 24: (Figs. 10, 19). These wedge blocks are recessed at 76 (Figs. 10, 12) to receive the body of the pin, and the blocks are so shaped that when the pin is thrown into inclined position upon the setter, the latter being at rest in elevated position (Fig. 7 they will engage the body, of the pin and prevent it from passing own through the pocket. and this condition will continue until the main frame comes to rest in lowered pos1- tion and the intermediate frame has moved Thus the. shoes are sufiiciently to insure proper positioning of the shoes by the time the pin is released to drop through the pocket upon the alley bed (Figs. 10, 11). The release of the pin is effected by the lowering of the intermediate frame from the upper deck of the main frame. -The stop 28 is carried down by the intermediate frame, as shown in Figs. and

11, when the intermediate frame lowers relative to the upper deck of the main frame and the base of the pin is carried with the stop,

gradually'moving the pin towards upright posit on, and by reason of this lowering of the intermediate frame and partial uprighting of. the pin, the pin is enabled to pass between the wedge blocks as it is uprighted to setting and spotting position.

I have found it satisfactory to employ two oppositely disposed position shoes, as shown in Figs. 1-11, but I may also employ three shoes, 77, disposed as shown in Figs. 16 and 17 or three shoes, 78, disposed as shown in Figs. 18 and 19, and I may make the shoes 77, 78 of solid material, as wood, as there shown, or I- may make them of skeleton form, as shown in Figs. 7-11. Theseshoes constructed and positioned in any suitable manner are adapted to swing to open posi ton by gravity when the intermediate frame moves upward to its normal position a'djacent; the upper deck of the main frame ,(Figs. 3, 7), and are adapted to be positively moved to closed position by relative movement of the intermediate frame and the lower deck of the main frame and engage ment of the back of each shoe with the lower deck of the main frame, and without, the shoes in any way engaging the alley bed.

The lower deck 21 of the main frame is constructed in skeletonform' with cross plates 73, as shown in Figs, 2 and 3, which provide the ed es 72 to movethe shoes inwardly; but when three shoes are used I may provide a bottom plate 79 on the lower deck having openings 80 shaped to provide,

straight edges 81 for engagement with the shoes, as shown in- Figs. 16-19, or these edges ma be provided by the addition of plates an strips to the skeleton" face shown in'Figs. 2 and 3.. I

1am aware that changes in the form, construction, arrangement and operation of parts may be made without departing from the invention-or sacrificing any of thead vantages thereof, and I reserve the right to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims I'claim: p -1. A bowling alley pin setter comprising a vertically movable receiving frame having and movable vertically 'conj'ointly with and independently of said receiving frame.

2. A bowling alley pin setter comprising pendently of said receiving frame, and means carried by the intermediate frame for positioning the pins on the alley bed.

3. A bowling alley pin setter com rising a vertically movable receiving frame aving an upper and a lower deck spaced apart, a

frame intermediate of said decks and movable vertically conjointly with and inde'r -pendently of said receiving frame, and

means carried by the intermediate frame and actuated by the receivingframe for pcsitionin the pms on the alley bed.

' 4. A owling alley pin setter comprising Y a vertically movable receiving frame, a set- 'ing tin frame movable vertical] conjointly wit and independently of t e receiving frame, and means carried by the setting frame-and actuated by the recei'vin frame for positioning the pins on the alley ed.

'5. A bowling alley pin setter comprising a vertically movable receiving frame having pocket openings therein, a setting frame movable vertically conjointly with and independentl of aid receiving frame, and means carrled'by the setting frame and operating in said openin s in the receiving frame for positiomng t e pins on the alley bed.

6.. A bowling alley pin setter comprising a vertically movable recei'ving frame having pocket openings therein, a setting frame movabl'everticall'y and conjointly with and independently of said receiving frame, and means carried by the setting frame and engaging the edge of the openings in the receiving frame to be operated by the -receiving frame in said openings .for positionthe pins on the alley bed.

A bowling alley pin setter comprising a vertically movable receiving frame having pocket openings therein, a setting frame movable vertically conjointly with and independentl-y of said receiving. frame, and movable shoes carried b the setting frame and actuated in said poc ets by engagement with thereceiving frame to position the pins on-the' alley bed.

8. A bowling alley pin setter comprising a vertically movable receiving frame, having an upper and alower deck spaced apart, and

cket openings in the lower deck, a frame Intermediate of said decks and movable vertically conjoint'y with and independently ofsald receivin frame, and means carried by the intermediate frame and operated by the main frame in the openings in the lower deck of the main frame for positioning the pins on the alley bed. i 9. A bowling alley. pin setter comprising a vertically; movable receiving frame having an upper and a lower deck spaced apart, and

5 pdcket openings in the lower deck, a frameintermediate of said decks and movable vertipally conjointly with and independently 0 said receiving frame, and means carried 'by the intermediate frameand projecting into the openings in the lower deck of the receiving frame and engaging the edge of said openings so that said means will be movedinwardly when the intermediate frame moves towards the lower deck of the' main frame to position the pins on the alley bed.

10. A bowling alley pin setter comprising a vertically movable receiving frame having u an upper and a lower deck spaced apart, and pocket openings in the lower deck, a frame intermediate of said decks and movable vertically conjointly with and independently of said receiving frame, and setting means comprising shoes pivoted to, the intermediate frame and arranged to operate inthe openings in the lower deck of the receiving frame for positioning the pins on the alley bed.

11. A bowling alley pin setter com rising a vertically movable receiving frame aving an upper and a lower deck spaced apart, and pocket openings in the lower deck, a frame intermediate of said decks and movable vertically conjointly with and independently of said receiving frame, and shoes pivoted to the intermediate frame and suspended in the openings in the .lower deck of the receiving frame, the backs of said shoes engaging the edge of said openings so that the shoes will be moved inwardly when the intermediate frame approaches the lower deck of the receiving frame to position the shoes on the alley bed. a

1 2. A bowling alley pin setter comprising a frame. and a plurality of shoes for each pin carried by said frame for positioning the pins on the alley bed, the plurality of shoes have conjointly but three points of contact carried by the frame forpositioning the shoes on the alley bed,one shoe of each pair having its side edges arranged to engage the.

pin between its side edges to make but one point contact with the pin.

15. A bowlingalley pm setter comprising a vertically movable receiving frame having an npperand a lower .deck spaced apart, a

setting frame between said decks and movable vertically conjointly with and'independently' of said receiving frame, there being pockets in-the upper deck and setting frame to reeaders ceive the pins and openings inthe lower deck registering with sai pockets, and a plurality of shoes movably. mounted on the settm frame at the pockets and operating throng the openings in the lower deck under the .pockets for positioning the pins on the alley bed, the pins resting in inclined position upon the receiving frame and m the pockets, means on the setting frame engaging the pins in said inclined position, the movement of the setting frame relative to the receiving frame causing the shoes to be operated by engagement with the lower deck of the rece1ving frame to move inwardly for receiving r the pins when they are uprighted by reason of the relative movement of said frames and for positioning the pins on the alley bed.

16. A bowling alley pin setter comprising a vertically movable receiving frame having an upper and a lower deck spaced apart, an pocket openings inthe lower deck, a frame intermediate of said decks and movable vertically conjointly with and independently of said receiving frame, and a plurality of shoes for each pin pivotally suspended from the intermediate frame and having contact with the pin for positioning the pin on the. alley bed, said shoes being arranged to operate in the openings in the lower deck ofthe receiv ing frame against the edg of said openings so that they will be moved inwardly when the intermediate frame approaches the lower deck of thereceiving frame and will swing outwardly by gravity when the intermediateframe moves away from the lower deck. of the receiving frame.

17 A bowlingalley. pin setter comprising a frameha'ving pockets therein to'receive the pins, and means on the frame at each pocket to prevent the pins from accidentally passing through the pockets.

- 18. A bowling alley pin setter comprising a vertically movable receivln frame, a seta ring frame movable vertica ly conjointly with and independently frame, said frames having pocket openin therein to receive the pins, and wedge bloc s on the receiving frame to prevent the pins.

from accidentally passing through said pocket openin s.

' 19. A. bowling .alle pin setter comprising a vertically mova le receiving frame, a setting frame movable vertically conjointly with and independently of said receiving frame, said frames having pocket openings.

therein to receive the pins, and recessed wedge blocks on the rece1ving frame to prevent the pins from accidentally passing through. said pocket openings.

20. A-bowling alley pin setter comprising a "ertically movable receiving frame, a setting frame movable vertically conjointly with and independently of. said receiving frame, said frames havmg pocket openings therein to receive the pins and a stop for accidentally passing through sai each pocket, a portion 0 of said receiving each pocket, a portion of the receivin frame and the stop on the setting frame fhrming a support. for each pin, and means on the pins from receivmg frame to preventthe accidentally passing .through said pocket openings.

' 21. A. bowling alley pin setter comprising a vertically movable receivin frame, a setting frame movable vertica ly conjointly with and independently" of'said receiving frame, said frames having pocket openings therein to receive the pins and a stop each pocket, a portion of the recelving frame and the opposifely disposed stop on [the setting frame forming a support for each pin, and oppositely disposed. blocks on the receiving frame to prevent the ins from pocket openings.

22. A bowling alley pin setter comprising a vertically movable receiving frame, a. setfor v ting frame movable vertically conjointly with and independenfly of said receiving frame, said frames having pocket openings therein to receive the pins and a sto for the receiving ame at the back of each pocket and the stop on the setting frame at the front of each pocket constituting a support for the pin in inclined position in said pocket, said pin being moved to upright position in the pocketby relative movement of said frames, and means at the sides of the pockets to revent the pins from accidentally passing t rough said pocket openings.

23. A bowling alley pin setter comprising tea frame, and pneumatic means for operating said frames to move from an elevated receiving position downward to a setting position and back to receiving position in one complete cycle of operation. I

26.v A bowling alley pin setter comprising \i a vertically movable receiving frame, a setting frame movable vertically conjointly with and independently of said receiving frame, pneumatic means manually operated for causing said frames to move downward from receiving to setting position and automatically operated for causing said frames to move upward from setting to receiving position in one complete cycle of operation.

I a'verticallyemovable receiving frame, a set wit and independently of said receiving tron. a

:33. A bowling alley pin setter comprising 27. A bowling alley-pin setter comprising frame movable vertically conjointly frame, and neumatie means connected wi the setting rame for-operating said frames. 28. A bowling alley pinsetter comprismg a vertically movab e receiving frame, a setertica l tin frame movab e v y conjointly wit and independently of said receiving frame, neumatic means connected with the setting ame for operating said frames, and

- means on" the receiving frame for guiding thetsetting frame in its independent movea vertically movable setting frame, a verticall movable receiving frame supported by "sai" se'tting'frame, pneumaticmeans for operating said frames, said settin ,fram'e bein -movable verticall conjoint y with andin ependently of sai means on the receiving frame for. guiding the" setting frame in lts independent movement. I Q

31. A- bowling alley pin" setter comprising vertically movable receiving and settin frames, pneumatic means foroperating sai frames, a valve, manuallyvoperated for lowering said frames and automatically operated for raising said frames. 1

meas es recelving frame, and 1 the lower frame to engage the p' are engaged t e mum on sai 32:Abowling alley pin setjt'er'comprismg a framehavmg poc ets therein to receive the pins in inclined position. and ribs on the frame to engage the base ofth'e at the top thereof when they are in inc inedposia' receiving frame, .a setting framemovable relatively to the receivin on. the settin frame, said frames havin poclrets in which the pins'may lie in incline position resting upon the receiving frame frame, and ribs,

and withtheir bases engaged with the ribs on the sett' frame.

34. A bow ing alle pin setter comprising I two relatively movab e frames having peck t t.

ets to receive the pins one 'of'said'I frames having a rest upon which the pins lie in in position in the ockets, and the bther clined frame aving ribs un or which the bases of the; pins are engaged in inclined position and,

which ribs operate to impart to the pins on pnghtmg movement when the frames move relatively. '1 35. A bowling alley ets to receive the pins, said framesbemg arranged oneabove the other and the upper frame having means to support the pins in inclined position in the pockets, sto' s on an ,hold them in said mclmed position, aryi ribs on said stops under which the-bases of the pins basesof and cause the pins to fulmeans to upright the pins when the frames are moved relativel JOSEPH W. BIS OP.

i pinsetter eom ri two relatively movable frames having and which pull down on the v 

